Book Review: ‘The Night She Went Missing: A Novel’ By Kristen Bird

The story starts out with 18 year-old Emily Callahan being pulled out of the waters of Galveston Island, after being missing for weeks and presumed dead. Here family recently moved to Galveston to be closer to her dad’s rich and powerful family. She’s attending the elite Callahan Prep Academy, run by her Grandmother and founded by her family. Emily does not remember what happened to her and is shocked to learn she’s also pregnant. It’s believed it might be father star Alex Frasier, who was accused of rape a few years earlier but cleared of the charge. The story follows the women of this island and their fights for power and to keep their secrets a secret (and they all have secrets we learn). At it’s core the story it about family and how mothers fight to protect their children. There’s good twists and turns in this solid debut novel but it left me flat after reading it.

You can pick up The Night She Went Missing in stores on Tuesday, February 8th from MIRA.